An upscale kitchen gut remodel in the East North Central states, which is the Midwest region that includes Ohio, returns about 34 cents for every dollar spent. That’s not nearly as much as many homeowners picture. In some cases, they’re lucky to break even. These are the kitchen upgrades that often cost Ohio homeowners more…
Break a Verizon device deal before its 36-month term runs out, and you lose your promotional bill credits the same billing cycle. The rest of the phone’s price comes due at once. These are the cell phone charges that show up for Texans long after their promotional price wears off. Note: This is general information,…
North Carolina keeps a toll-free hotline for situations like getting ripped off at a car repair shop: 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (the state’s consumer complaint line), printed right on the state’s own auto-repair guidance page. State law has clear rules on what a shop can and can’t charge you once your car’s already on the lift. These are…
Think a single missed toll isn’t a big deal? It is. An unpaid toll on the Illinois Tollway rises from a few dollars to a $20 fine per toll in about four months, and Illinois can eventually come for your registration if you don’t pay. These are the Illinois toll mistakes that turn a handful…
In April of this year, federal court ordered the operator of a nationwide timeshare exit scheme to pay $140 million. That case alone had already drained more than $90 million from consumers who thought they’d found a way out. Florida owners aren’t the only Americans this industry has burned, and companies keep selling the same…
More than 670,000 veterans live in Virginia. But many of them don’t know about all the benefits built for their spouses and kids. These are the state and federal veterans benefits families qualify for and never claim because nobody walks them through it. Note: This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Eligibility…
A Patch reporter once ran the same grocery list through a Shaw’s and a Market Basket on the same day, item by item, then added up both receipts. One store’s total came in lower. They were small numbers on paper, but they add up fast once you shop that way every week. These are the…
New Jersey’s newest Aldi opened in Deptford on December 10, one week after Hackettstown got a store of its own 60 miles north. That’s two more addresses added to a list that already runs past 60. Every one of those stores hides a handful of perks many people never cash in. Here are the Aldi…
A California audit of 153 solar contracts found violations of state licensing law in more than 90% of them. Nine of every ten failed the state’s rules. These are the contract terms turning some California solar deals into a net loss. Note: This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Solar contract terms, financing…
Food Lion has kept South Carolina shelves stocked for decades. Its weekly ad saves shoppers money on many trips. But it’s still possible to go wrong and spend more than you intended to. These are the Food Lion habits that cost South Carolinians more than they planned to spend. Note: This is general information, not…
